Control system for coordinating paving operations

ABSTRACT

A control system for coordinating a plurality of machines for performing a paving operation is disclosed. The control system may include a communication device configured to exchange data messages with the plurality of machines and a material production plant and a controller. The controller may be configured to generate a first graphical user interface on a display device, the first graphical user interface having a plurality of first graphical objects, each being indicative of one of the plurality of machines or the material production plant, wherein each of the plurality of first graphical objects is selectable via an input device. The controller may also be configured to determine a status score of each of the plurality machines and the material production plant wherein each of the first graphical objects is further indicative of the status score of the indicated one of the machines or the material production plant.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a control system and, moreparticularly, to a control system for coordinating paving operations.

BACKGROUND

Paved roadways that are built to facilitate vehicular travel aretypically resurfaced from time to time as wear and tear caused byseveral factors, such as fatigue and freeze-thaw cycles, degrades thesurface of the roadway. Many paved roadways consist of an asphaltsurface course that is supported by a base course comprising one or morelayers of aggregate material deposited on a subgrade of native earthmaterial. After the base course is prepared during a road buildingoperation or after the old surface course is removed during aresurfacing operation, fresh asphalt for the new surface course is laiddown using a paving machine and compacted to form a strong, smooth roadsurface. The fresh asphalt is produced at a plant and delivered to theworksite in haul trucks while the asphalt is still at a high enoughtemperature to be effectively laid down and compacted. If too much timepasses before the asphalt is laid down and compacted, the asphalt cancool to temperatures at which it becomes unworkable by the paving andcompacting machines and must be discarded or replaced, which can reduceproductivity and be costly.

In many cases, paving operations that move at a steady, consistent pacecan be successfully managed to achieve productivity goals whileminimizing waste in terms of time, manpower, and material. However,situations often arise that can result in the delay of certain aspectsof the paving operation and require operators and supervisors to respondquickly and effectively in order to prevent a chain of delays that canlead to significant waste. To avoid delays, supervisors may wish tocoordinate asphalt production rates, paving rates, compacting rates, andmaterial delivery logistics with each other and with respect to asphalttemperature. But coordinating these aspects can be challenging wheresuch coordination relies on the abilities of and communication amongmultiple personnel and/or control systems responsible for each process.

A system for controlling asphalt production and a paving process isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,011,038 that issued to Buschmann et al. onApr. 21, 2015 (“the '038 patent”). In particular, the '038 patentdiscloses a system for controlling the quantity and temperature ofasphalt produced at a plant and regulating a rate of using the asphaltin a paving process at a jobsite. The system includes a mixing plantwhere asphalt is produced at a certain temperature and a number oftrucks for delivering the asphalt to a paving machine. The system alsoincludes a controller that determines a demand forecast for pavingmaterial at the pacing machine based on a laying speed, the asphalttemperature at the paving machine, and a stored work schedule containingpavement plans, including geometry, thickness, and degree of compaction.Based on the demand forecast, the controller sends request signals tothe plant, and the plant adjusts the temperature of the asphalt itproduces so the asphalt arrives at the jobsite at a set temperature. Theproduction temperature of the asphalt may be adjusted at the plant basedon a deviation of the asphalt temperature at the paving machine from theset temperature. The temperature and amount of prepared material iscommunicated to the paving machine, and the paving rate of the pavingmachine is adjusted based on this information.

While the system of the '038 patent may allow for the deliverytemperature of the asphalt and the paving rate to be controlled, it maynot be optimum. In particular, the information provided to the operatorof the paving machine by the system of the '038 patent may not be easilyused by operators of all skill levels to determine how to particularlyadjust operating parameters of the paving machine to achieve targetedperformance levels. Further, the system of the '038 patent may notconsider other important processes of the resurfacing operation orprovide operators associated with those processes with information forperforming their tasks based on asphalt temperature and in coordinationwith other machines or operations.

The control system of the present disclosure solves one or more of theproblems set forth above and/or other problems in the art.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure is related to a control system forcoordinating a plurality of machines for performing a paving operationon a worksite. The control system may include a communication deviceconfigured to exchange data messages with the plurality of machines anda material production plant, a display device, an input deviceconfigured to receive user inputs, and a controller in communicationwith the communication device, the display device, and the input device.The controller may be configured to generate a first graphical userinterface on the display device, the first graphical user interfacehaving a plurality of first graphical objects, each being indicative ofone of the plurality of machines or the material production plant,wherein each of the plurality of first graphical objects is selectablevia the input device. The controller may also be configured to determinea status score of each of the plurality machines and the materialproduction plant based on the data messages, wherein each of theplurality of first graphical objects is further indicative of the statusscore of the indicated one of the plurality of machines or the materialproduction plant.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is related to a control systemfor coordinating a paving operation on a worksite. The control systemmay include a speed sensor associated with a paving machine andconfigured to generate a first signal indicative of a groundspeed of thepaving machine, a production monitoring system associated with thepaving machine and configured to generate a second signal indicative ofan amount of material deposited by the paving machine, a communicationdevice configured to send and receive data communications, a displaydevice, and a controller in electronic communication with the speedsensor, the production monitoring system, the communication device, andthe display device. The controller may be configured to receive a thirdsignal indicative of a production rate of a material production plantvia the communication device, determine a target groundspeed of thepaving machine based on the second and third signals, and generate agraphical user interface on the display device, wherein the graphicaluser interface includes a first graphical object indicative of adifference between the groundspeed and the target groundspeed of thepaving machine.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a controlsystem for coordinating a paving operation on a worksite. The controlsystem may include a first speed sensor associated with a compactingmachine and configured to generate a first signal indicative of agroundspeed of the compacting machine, a second speed sensor associatedwith a paving machine and configured to generate a second signalindicative of a groundspeed of the paving machine, a communicationdevice configured to send and receive data communications, a displaydevice, and a controller in electronic communication with the first andsecond speed sensors, the communication device, and the display device.The controller may be configured to determine a target groundspeed ofthe compacting machine based at least in part on the second signal,determine a difference between the groundspeed of the compacting machineand the target groundspeed, and generate a graphical user interface onthe display device, wherein the graphical user interface includes afirst graphical object indicative of the difference between thegroundspeed of the compacting machine and the target groundspeed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of an exemplary worksite of a roadsurfacing operation having a plurality of machines;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary disclosed controlsystem that may be used to coordinate the operations of the machines ofFIG. 1; and

FIGS. 3-8 are pictorial illustrations of exemplary disclosed graphicaluser interfaces that may be generated by the control system of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of this disclosure, the term “asphalt” is defined as amixture of aggregate and asphalt cement. Asphalt cement is abrownish-black solid or semi-solid mixture of bitumens obtained as abyproduct of petroleum distillation. The asphalt cement can be heatedand mixed with the aggregate for use in paving roadway surfaces, wherethe mixture hardens upon cooling.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary worksite 10 where a plurality of machines 12are employed to perform a road surfacing operation, such as laying downan asphalt layer onto a work surface 14. The surfacing operation mayinvolve completing a plurality of different tasks according to a planneddesign model of the finished road. Each machine 12 may be used toperform one or more of the plurality of tasks based on the types ofoperations that each respective machine 12 is configured to perform.That is, each machine 12 may be particularly configured to performcertain tasks that other machines may not be configured to perform. Inthis way, each machine 12 may be associated with one of the plurality oftasks.

For example, machines 12 may include one or more (i.e., at least one)haul trucks 16, paving machines (“paver”) 18 (only one shown), andcompacting machines (“compactors”) 20. It is understood that other typesof machines may be used. Each haul truck 16 may be a mobile machinesupported on a plurality of wheels 22 connected to a frame 24. Wheels 22may be operably connected to and driven by an engine 26 via a pluralityof drivetrain components (e.g., a flywheel or a torque converter, atransmission, a driveshaft, a differential, an axle, etc.). Each haultruck 16 may also include a bed 28 attached to frame 24 for carrying anamount of material, such as paving material (e.g., asphalt), from afirst location, such as an asphalt production plant (“plant”) 30, to asecond location, such as worksite 10. Bed 28 may have an open top sidefor receiving material and an enclosed rear side having a hingedtailgate for dumping material. The rear side of bed 28 may also beconnected to frame 24 via a hinging mechanism, and a lifting actuator(e.g., a hydraulic cylinder) may be attached to a front side of bed 28,thereby allowing the front side of bed 28 to be tipped upward fordumping material.

Paver 18 may be a wheeled or tracked machine equipped with a hopper 32at a front side of paver 18 for storing paving material to be depositedonto work surface 14. Material from hopper 32 may be moved via aconveyor system to a rear side of paver 18 where the material may bedeposited onto work surface 14. Hopper 32 may have an open top sideconfigured to receive additional material from haul truck 16 to replacedeposited material. The material may be distributed across at least aportion of a width of paver 18 by an auger or other distribution device.

A screed 34 may be connected to the rear end of paver 18, and paver 18may pull screed 34 over the freshly deposited material to create a matof paving material having a desired thickness on top of work surface 14.Screed 34 may include one or more screed plates that smooth out thefresh paving material. The screed plates may be adjustable via one ormore associated actuators for changing the height, width, and/or slopeof the screed plates. In some embodiments, one or more of the screedplates may be connectable to an end of another screed plate by fastenersor another type of connections. Operating parameters, such as agroundspeed of paver 18 and the height, width, and slope of screed 34may be controlled from an operator station 36 using a plurality ofcontrol devices 38 (shown only in FIG. 2).

Compactors 20 may be equipped with compacting tools 40 configured tocompact the material beneath them. As shown in FIG. 1, compactor 20 maybe supported on the work surface 14 by compacting tools 40 and propelledvia a hydraulic system operatively connected to and driven by a powersource (e.g., an engine). Compacting tool 40 may be rotationallyconnected to a frame 44. In this way, compactor 20 may be driven forwardon compacting tools 40. Operating parameters, such as a groundspeed, atravel direction, and/or other parameters, may be controlled from anoperator station 46 using a plurality of control devices 48. In someembodiments, compacting tool 40 may be a drum having a smooth outersurface configured to engage and compact work surface 14. The drum mayinclude an internal vibratory system comprising one or more eccentricweights driven by motors. The eccentric weights may vibrate compactingtool 40 at a certain frequency and amplitude to cause greater compactionof the material beneath compacting tool 40. The frequency and amplitudeof the vibratory system, along with other operating parameters, such asa groundspeed and travel direction of compactor 20, may be controlledfrom operator station 46 using at least one of the plurality of controldevices 48.

Plant 30 may be configured to produce asphalt for use at worksite 10.The asphalt produced at plant 30 may comply with certain specifications,such as aggregate size (e.g., fine grade, course grade, etc.), aggregatematerial type (e.g., granite, river gravel, sandstone, etc.), aggregateshape (e.g., round, angular, etc.), percent of asphalt cement,production temperature, etc. Plant 30 may produce asphalt at a certainproduction rate, such as an amount of asphalt (e.g., tons) per hour, andin accordance with a production plan, which may include goals and/orlimitations on amounts of asphalt produced over a period of time (e.g.,per day) or for use on a particular jobsite (e.g., worksite 10).Although only one plant 30 is shown in FIG. 1, plant 30 may be one of aplurality of plants that produce asphalt for use on worksite 10. As usedherein, the phrase “production rate” may refer to an amount of material(e.g., a weight, a mass, a volume, a two-dimensional area, etc.) perunit time, such as a mass flow rate, a volume flow rate, an amount perunit area, amount per unit length, etc.

Asphalt produced at plant 30 may have an initial temperature immediatelyfollowing production that is relatively high and decreases over time.Generally, haul trucks 16 transport hot asphalt from plant 30 toworksite 10 so that when the asphalt is loaded into paver 18, thetemperature of the asphalt is still high enough to be properly depositedand compacted. When the paving operation on worksite 10 is delayed forany reason, haul trucks 16 can be delayed from unloading their freshasphalt, which can lead to the fresh asphalt being significantly reducedin temperature. This can reduce the amount of time available for paver18 to deposit the asphalt and for compactors 20 to compact the depositedasphalt before it becomes too cool and unworkable. Further, delays inthe paving process can create situations in which haul trucks 16, paver18, and/or compactors 20 sit idly until the paving process resumes,which can reduce the overall efficiency of the surfacing operation.

To provide operators and supervisors with the ability to observe and/orcontrol aspects of the surfacing operation from asphalt production tothe final compacting operation, a control system 50, as shown in FIG. 2,may be provided. Control system 50 may be configured to collect datafrom each machine 12 and plant 30 and present the data to operators andsupervisors in a format that allows them to quickly understand the stateof the surfacing operation and coordinate tasks to avoid delays. Controlsystem 50 may include a plurality of machine control systems, each beingconfigured to gather and process machine data, such as current andhistorical operating parameters, and allow operators and supervisors toview the data and respond by manipulating current operating parameters.

For example, FIG. 2 shows a first machine control system 52 a associatedwith paver 18 and a second machine control system 52 b associated withcompactor 20. It is noted that although FIG. 2 only shows machinecontrol systems 52 a, 52 b, other machines, such as haul trucks 16, andplant 30 may each include a similar associated control system. Eachmachine control system 52 a, 52 b may include a plurality of devicesconfigured to allow for manual or automatic control of certain machineoperations and adjustments of certain operating parameters particular topaver 18 or compactor 20, respectively. For instance, machine controlsystem 52 a associated with paver 18 may include control devices 38 andcontrol system 52 b associated with compactor 20 may include controldevices 48.

Control devices 38 may include devices that may be located onboard(e.g., in operator station 36) or off-board paver 18 that are configuredto be used by personnel to control the operations and operatingparameters of paver 18. For example, control devices 38 may includemachine controls, such as an accelerator 54 a for controlling thegroundspeed of paver 18, a brake 56 a for controlling the decelerationof paver 18, a steering device 58 a for controlling the travel directionof paver 18, and a tool control 60 a for controlling one or more toolpositions and/or orientations. For instance, tool control 60 a of paver18 may be configured to control one or more of the height, width, andslope of screed 34. Tool control 60 a may embody one or more levers,push buttons, switches, joysticks, etc. Although each of control devices38 is shown in FIG. 2 as a separate device, it is understood that thefunctions of multiple control devices may be incorporated into a singledevice, such as a single joystick or electronic control device.

Control devices 38 may also include a multi-functional control device 62a configured to receive information from and provide information topersonnel for controlling paver 18. For example, control device 62 a mayinclude one or more input devices 64 a, such as buttons, soft keys, akeyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, etc., for receiving inputs frompersonnel indicative of information or requests for information relatingto paver 18. Control device 62 a may also include a display device 66 a,such as an LED, LCD, CRT, or other type of display device configured toreceive signals and show information associated with the signals. Insome embodiments, control device 62 a may be an off-board entity, suchas an off-board computer 68 that includes input device 64 c and displaydevice 66 c and is configured to include or communicate with machines 12and plant 30.

Off-board computer 68 may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or amobile device, such as a cellular phone, a tablet, a specializedcomputing device, or another type of electronic device. Off-boardcomputer 68 may include a processor configured to carry out operationsconsistent with the present disclosure, associated memory containinginstructions for carrying out operations consistent with the presentdisclosure, and communications equipment (e.g., hardware and software)configured to allow off-board computer 68 to communicate data with otherelectronic devices via wired or wireless platforms (e.g., cellular,Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, infrared, etc.).

Control system 52 a may also include a locating device 70 a configuredto determine a two- or three-dimensional location of paver 18 withrespect to a global or local coordinate system. For example, locatingdevice 70 a may be configured to receive location signals from aplurality of satellites associated with a global navigation satellitesystem (GNSS), such as Naystar Global Positioning System (GPS), GLONASS,Galileo, Beidou, etc. Locating device 70 a may use the positioningsignals to determine its own position (e.g., by trilateration) withrespect to the coordinate system, which may be used to determine thelocation of the paver 18.

Control system 52 a may also include one or more sensors 72 a (only oneshown), each being associated with an operating parameter or an actuatorfor carrying out commands from operators and supervisors received viacontrol devices 38. Sensors 72 a may generate signals indicative anoperating parameter (e.g., a temperature, a pressure, a fluid level,etc.) or an actuator position that may be used to determine otherinformation about paver 18, such as one or more other operatingparameters. For example, sensors 72 a may include a speed sensorconfigured to generate a signal indicative of the groundspeed of paver18. Sensors 72 a may also include a temperature sensor configured togenerate a signal indicative of a temperature of asphalt in hopper 32.It is understood that sensors 72 a may include other types of sensorsconfigured to generate signals indicative of other operating parametersassociated with paver 18 for determine current operating parametersand/or tracking operating parameters over a period of operating time.

For instance, control system 52 a may also include a productionmonitoring system 74 configured to generate a signal indicative of anamount of material (e.g., asphalt) deposited by paver 18. Productionmonitoring system 74 may include one or more position sensors 76configured to generate signals indicative of the width, height (e.g.,height above work surface 14), or slope of screed 34 or its individualscreed plates. Each position sensor 76 may be associated with anactuator, such as a hydraulic or electronic actuator, configured tochange the length, height, or slope of at least a portion of screed 34.

A control module 78 may be associated with production monitoring system74 and configured to determine the amount of material deposited by paver18 based on the signals generated by position sensors 76. For instance,control module 78 may be configured to determine an amount of materialper unit distance traveled by paver 18 (e.g., based on the determinedheight and width of screed 34). Control module 78 may also be inelectronic communication with other electronic devices included with orexternal to production monitoring system 74, such as sensors 72 a,memory devices, and/or other computational devices, etc. Such devicesmay provide additional information used by control module 78 indetermining the amount of material deposited by paver 18. For instance,when sensors 72 a include a speed sensor configured to generate a signalindicative of the groundspeed of paver 18, control module 78 may receivethis signal as an input for determining a total amount (e.g., a totalvolume) of asphalt deposited on work surface 14 over a period of pavingtime. Additional information, such as the density of the paving materialdeposited may be stored in memory associated with control module 78 orreceived as an input by control module 78 from another source. Usingthis additional information, control module 78 may be configured todetermine the total weight (e.g., tons) or mass flow rate (e.g., tonsper hour) of material deposited by paver 18.

In some embodiments, production monitoring system may also oralternatively include a material sensor and conveyor speed sensorassociated with a conveying system (not shown) for moving material fromhopper 32 to work surface 14 year screed 34. For example, the materialsensor may include a mechanical sensor configured to detect a height ofpaving material being transferred on the conveyor system. Using thematerial height in conjunction with the speed of the conveyor and knowndimensions of the conveying system, such as dimensions of tunnelsconnecting hopper 32 to the rear side of paver 18, control module 78 maybe configured to determine the volume flow rate of material beingdeposited by paver 18. In some embodiments, the material sensors mayalternatively embody an ultrasonic sensor, laser scanner, opticalsensor, or another type of non-contact sensor configured to generate asignal indicative of a height or an area profile of the material on theconveyor system. Using the material height and known dimensions of theconveying system in conjunction with the conveyor speed, or using thearea profile in conjunction with the conveyor speed, control module 78may be configured to determine the volume flow rate of materialdeposited by paver 18. Using the known density of the paving material inconjunction with the volume flow rate, control module 78 may beconfigured to determine the mass flow rate and/or total amount (e.g.,weight) of material deposited by paver 18 over a period of conveyingtime.

Control system 52 a may also include a communication device 80 a.Communication device 80 a may include hardware and/or software thatenables sending and receiving of data messages between paver 18 andoff-board entities (e.g., others of machines 12, off-board computer 68,other devices, etc.). The data messages may be sent and received via adirect data link and/or a wireless communication link, as desired. Thedirect data link may include an Ethernet connection, a connected areanetwork (CAN), or another data link known in the art. The wirelesscommunications may include one or more of satellite, cellular,Bluetooth, WiFi, infrared, and any other type of wireless communicationsthat enables communication device 80 a to exchange information. Datamessages transmitted via communication device 80 a may include any datagenerated or information determined by any of the other components ofcontrol system 52 a, including operating parameters of paver 18 (e.g.,groundspeed, asphalt temperature, amount of material deposited, massflow rate, etc.)

Control system 52 a may also include a controller 82 a in electroniccommunication with the other components of control system 52 a. As usedherein, the phrase “electronic communication” may refer to aconfiguration wherein data may be transferred via a wired connection, awireless connection, or combinations thereof. Controller 82 a may embodya computing device having a single microprocessor or multiplemicroprocessors and a means for monitoring inputs from other componentsof control system 50 and generating output signals based on the inputs.For example, controller 82 a may include a memory, a secondary storagedevice, a clock, and a processing hardware for accomplishing a taskconsistent with the present disclosure. Numerous commercially availablemicroprocessors can be configured to perform the functions of controller82 a. It should be appreciated that controller 82 a could readily embodya general machine controller capable of controlling numerous othermachine functions. Various other known circuits may be associated withcontroller 82 a, including signal-conditioning circuitry, communicationcircuitry, and other appropriate circuitry. Controller 82 a may befurther communicatively coupled with an external computer system,instead of or in addition to including a computer system, as desired.

Controller 82 a may be configured to receive data inputs from eachcomponent of control system 52 a, process the data, and generate outputsignals based on the inputs and/or processed data. For example,controller 82 a may be configured to receive inputs from control system52 a and automatically generate machine commands, such as commands toadjust (e.g., increase or decrease) the groundspeed of paver 18, adjustthe width, height, or slope of screed 34, adjust the travel direction ofpaver 18, and/or adjust a feed rate of paving material from hopper 32 toscreed 34 (e.g., via the speed of the conveyor system). Controller 82 amay also be configured to generate output signals to other components ofcontrol system 52 a. For example, controller 82 a may be configured togenerate graphical images indicative of operational information based onreceived inputs and display the graphical images on display device 66 afor viewing by the operator of paver 18. The operational informationindicated by the graphical images may include data generated by controlsystem 52 a, information generated by control system 52 b received viacommunication device 80 a, or a combination thereof (e.g., datagenerated by each control system 52 a, 52 b or information based on datagenerated by each control system 52 a, 52 b). That is, controller 82 amay be configured to generate one or more output signals based on datagenerated by control system 52 b of compactor 20.

Control system 52 b may be a second machine control system included incontrol system 50, which may also be particularly associated withcompactor 20. For instance, control system 52 b may include a pluralityof devices, such as control devices 48, configured to allow for manualor automatic control of certain operations and adjustments of certainoperating parameters particular to compactor 20. Control devices 48 mayinclude devices that may be located onboard (e.g., in operator station46) or off-board compactor 20 that are configured to be used bypersonnel to control the operations and operating parameters ofcompactor 20. For example, control devices 48 may include machinecontrols, such as an accelerator 54 b for controlling the groundspeed ofcompactor 20, a brake 56 b for controlling the deceleration compactor20, a steering device 58 b for controlling the travel direction ofcompactor 20, and a tool control 60 b for controlling one or moreaspects of compacting tool 40.

For instance, tool control 60 b may be configured to control one or moreof the vibration frequency or vibration amplitude (i.e., the compactingforce) of compacting tool 40. Tool control 60 b may also be configuredto provide control of other aspects of compactor 20, such as a wateringsystem, lighting, canopy operations, a parking brake, etc. Tool control60 b may embody one or more levers, push buttons, switches, joysticksetc. Although each of control devices 48 is shown in FIG. 2 as aseparate device, it is understood that the functions of multiple controldevices may be incorporated into a single device, such as a singlejoystick or electronic control device.

Control devices 48 may also include a multi-functional control device 62b configured to receive information from and provide information topersonnel for controlling compactor 20. Control device 62 b may similarto control device 62 a and include, for example, one or more inputdevices 64 b and a display device 66 b. In some embodiments, controldevice 62 b may be an off-board entity and, in some instances, may bethe same off-board entity as control device 62 a.

Control system 52 b may also include a locating device 70 b configuredto determine a two- or three-dimensional location of compactor 20 and acommunication device 80 b configured to communicate data with others ofmachines 12 and off-board computer 68. Locating device 70 b may besimilar to locating device 70 a, and communication device 80 b may besimilar to communication device 80 a.

Control system 52 b may also include one or more sensors 72 b (only oneshown), each being associated with an operating parameter or an actuatorfor carrying out commands from operators and supervisors received viacontrol devices 38. Sensors 72 b may generate signals indicative of anoperating parameter (e.g., a temperature, a pressure, a fluid level,etc.) or an actuator position that may be used to determine otherinformation about paver 18, such as one or more other operatingparameters. For example, sensors 72 b may include a speed sensorconfigured to generate a signal indicative of the groundspeed ofcompactor 20. Sensors 72 b may also include a temperature sensorconfigured to generate a signal indicative of a temperature of worksurface 14 (e.g., an infrared temperature sensor). It is understood thatsensors 72 b may include other types of sensors configured to generatesignals indicative of other operating parameters associated withcompactor 20 for determine current operating parameters and/or trackingoperating parameters over a period of operating time.

Control system 52 b may also include a controller 82 b in electroniccommunication with the other components of control system 52 b.Controller 82 b may be structurally similar to controller 82 a and beconfigured to receive data inputs from each component of control system52 b, process the data, and generate output signals based on the inputsand/or processed data. For example, controller 82 b may be configured toreceive inputs from control system 52 b and automatically generatemachine commands, such as commands to adjust (e.g., increase ordecrease) the groundspeed of compactor 20, adjust the compacting energy(e.g., the vibration frequency or magnitude) of compacting tool 40,and/or adjust the travel direction of compactor 20.

Controller 82 b may also be configured to generate output signals toother components of control system 52 b. For example, controller 82 bmay be configured to generate graphical images indicative of operationalinformation based on received inputs and display the graphical images ondisplay device 66 b for viewing by the operator of compactor 20. Theoperational information indicated by the graphical images may includedata generated by control system 52 b, information generated by controlsystem 52 a received via communication device 80 b, or a combinationthereof (e.g., data generated by each control system 52 a, 52 b orinformation determined based on data generated by each control system 52a, 52 b). That is, controller 82 b may also be configured to generateone or more output signals based on data generated by control system 52a of paver 18.

To provide supervisors with greater access to information about eachmachine 12 and plant 30 (referring to FIG. 1), control system 50 may beconfigured to gather data inputs from each machine control system 52 a,52 b and plant 30 and present the information to supervisors in a visualformat that can be quickly and easily understood. For example, controlsystem 50 may include a portable or stationary computer configured toreceive information from each machine control system 52 a, 52 b, such asoff-board computer 68 equipped with a communication device 80 c, andgenerate graphical images for conveying this information in a visualformat at any location on or away from worksite 10. Although off-boardcomputer 68 is particularly mentioned, it is understood that othercomputational devices (e.g., controller 82 a, 82 b) may be used togenerate graphical images to convey this information.

Alternatively, machine control systems 52 a, 52 b and plant 30 may be inelectronic communication with a central server configured to storeprograms and/or algorithms for processing information generated bymachine control systems 52 a, 52 b and plant 30 and generating graphicalimages to convey the information. The server may be accessible viacommunication hardware, such as communication devices 80 a, 80 b, and/orin conjunction with other communication networks, such as the Internet.That is, control system 50 may include web-based features accessible toother electronic devices that are configured to convey information formonitoring and managing worksite 10.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The disclosed control system may be used with a plurality of machineswhere coordinating their respective operations on a worksite in anefficient and effective manner is important. The disclosed controlsystem may be particularly useful for coordinating road surfacingoperations where multiple machines are used to deliver paving materialfrom a material production plant, deposit the paving material into awork surface, and compact the freshly deposited paving material. Acontroller within the system may receive location data and otheroperating parameters relating to each machine and the plant. Thecontroller may also be configured to generate graphical images on adisplay device based on the received information. The graphical imagesmay be configured to qualitatively and/or quantitatively convey theinformation from each machine and from the plant to allow operators andsupervisors to quickly visualize and understand the state of operationson the worksite. The graphical images may also be used to receive inputfrom the operators and supervisors for controlling particular aspects ofeach machine. An exemplary operation of control system 50 will now beexplained.

It is noted that any computational function performed by off-boardcomputer 68 in the examples discussed below may also or alternatively beperformed by another computational device, such as controller 82 a, 82b, an off-board server, or another computerized device.

During a road surfacing operation, it may be a supervisor'sresponsibility to coordinate a plurality of machines (e.g., machines 12)for performing a paving operation on a worksite (e.g., worksite 10). Tohelp coordinate machines 12, the supervisor may have access to acomputer, such as off-board computer 68, from anywhere on or away fromworksite 10 that is configured to provide operational information abouteach machine 12. Off-board computer 68 may receive data messages fromeach machine 12 on worksite 10 via communication device 80 c and use thedata messages to locate and identify each machine 12. For instance, eachdata message may contain GPS coordinates (e.g., generated by locatingdevice 70 a, 70 b) and an associated machine ID. After determining whichof machines 12 are present, off-board computer 68 may generate on itsdisplay device 66 c a first graphical user interface (GUI) 84, as shownin FIG. 3.

GUI 84 may have a plurality of first graphical objects 86, each beingindicative of one of the plurality of machines 12 (e.g., paver 18,compactors 20, etc.) or material production plant 30. Each of theplurality of graphical objects 86 may be selectable via input device 64c associated with off-board computer 68 (referring to FIG. 2). Each ofgraphical objects 86 may also be indicative of a status score of theindicated machine 12 or material production plant 30. The status scoreof each machine 12 or plant 30 may be an indication of whether and/or towhat extent one or more operating parameters of each machine 12 or plant30 deviates from an expected or target value or threshold value. In thisway, supervisors may be able to use GUI 84 to quickly determine which,if any, of machines 12 and plant 30 require attention and how toprioritize subsequent efforts to address any issues. Graphical objects86 may indicate which of machines 12 and plant 30 require attentionbased on differentiating visual indicia, such as a color scheme (e.g.,red, yellow, green), textures, hatching, symbols, numerals, etc. It isunderstood that other types of indicia may be used.

When a supervisor wishes to receive more detail about a particularmachine 12 or plant 30, the supervisor may select one of graphicalobjects 86 via input device 64 c. For example, the supervisor may selectone of graphical objects 86 indicative of paver 18. Off-board computer68 may receive the supervisor's selection as an input and generate asecond graphical user interface (GUI) 88 on display device 66 a, asshown in FIG. 4, based on the selection. GUI 88 may include a pluralityof graphical objects 90, each being indicative of a difference betweenone of the plurality of operating parameters and the associated expectedor target value. That is, graphical objects 90 may be indicative of thedifference between each operating parameter and its associated target orexpected value that was used to determine the status score of theselected machine 12 or plant 30.

As shown in the example of FIG. 4, graphical objects 90 of GUI 88 may beindicative of such differences for operating parameters of or relatingto paver 18. For example, graphical objects 90 may include an asphalttemperature object 92, a paver groundspeed object 94, a paver productionrate object 96, a plant production rate object 98, a total weight object100 (i.e. of material deposited) and a total distance object 102 (i.e.distance paved). Such information may be used by a supervisor indetermining how to coordinate operations of paver 18 and/or othermachines 12 on worksite 10.

For instance, off-board computer 68 may receive data messages viacommunication device 80 c indicative of the current asphalt temperaturein hopper 32 (e.g., as determined by sensors 72 a), groundspeed of paver18 (e.g., as determined by sensors 72 a), production rate of paver 18(e.g., as determined by production monitoring system 74), productionrate of plant 30, and amount of material deposited by paver 18 (e.g., asdetermined by production monitoring system 74). Off-board computer 68may compare the temperature of asphalt in hopper 32 to a known targettemperature or temperature range (e.g., 190° F.-320° F.) and determinewhether the current asphalt temperature is within, above, or below thetarget range. Asphalt temperature object 92 may include qualitativeindicia, such as a dial with colored areas, that may allow an operatorto quickly understand whether and to what extent the asphalt in hopper32 is at an adequate temperature for paving. Although asphalttemperature object 92 is shown as a dial, other types of indicia may beused, such as bars, flashing lights, color schemes, etc. In this way,supervisors may be able to quickly determine whether any issue existswith regard to the asphalt temperature.

Off-board computer 68 may also determine a target groundspeed for paver18, compare the target groundspeed to the current groundspeed of paver18, and generate paver groundspeed object 94 based on the difference.For example, off-board computer 68 may compare the plant production rateto the paver production rate and determine whether paver 18 isdepositing material onto work surface 14 at a faster or slower rate thanplant 30 is producing material. Off-board computer 68 may alsoconcurrently generate paver production rate object 96 and plantproduction rate object 98 to allow the supervisor to visualize thedifference between these production rates. As the production rate ofplant 30 may dictate the maximum average production rate of paver 18,off-board computer 68 may determine the target groundspeed of paver 18to be a suitable groundspeed at which the production rate of paver 18 isequal to or within an allowable difference of the plant production rate.For example, based on the width, height, and slope of screed 34(referring to FIG. 2), as determined by sensors associated withproduction monitoring system 74 or known parameters, off-board computer68 may determine the groundspeed of paver 18 that will cause theproduction rate of paver 18 to be equal to or within a tolerabledifference of the production rate of plant 30.

Off-board computer 68 may then generate paver groundspeed object 94 tobe indicative of the difference between the current groundspeed of paver18 and the target groundspeed. Paver groundspeed object 94 may includefeatures, such as a color scheme, hatching, blinking lights, etc., as anindication of the direction (e.g., higher or lower) and extent to whichthe current groundspeed is different from the target groundspeed. Inthis way, the supervisor may be able to quickly visualize and understandthe relative production rates of plant 30 and paver 18. This informationmay allow the supervisor to determine whether and how the operations ofpaver 18 should be adjusted in order to bring the production rate ofpaver 18 to the target rate. For instance, the supervisor may be able touse this information to determine that the groundspeed of paver 18should be adjusted. The supervisor can then communicate with theoperator of paver 18 (e.g., via radio, cellular communications, onboarddisplay, etc.) to effectively achieve the desired speed change or otheroperational adjustment.

In some embodiments, GUI 88 may also include a graphical object 104configured to receive a user input indicative of a command to adjust(e.g., increase or decrease) the groundspeed of paver 18 to an adjustedgroundspeed. For instance, the supervisor may determine based on theinformation in GUI 88 that paver 18 is depositing material at a slightlyslower rate than plant 30 is producing it. The supervisor may then usegraphical object 104 to override control of the groundspeed of paver 18to be able to visualize whether and to what extent the production rateof paver 18 can become closer to the production rate of plant 30 whenoperated at the adjusted groundspeed. Adjustments to the groundspeed ofpaver 18 made via graphical object 104 may initiate a simulation mode,which may include the generation of an additional graphical userinterface for displaying simulation parameters and results. Theadditional graphical user interface may be a duplication of GUI 88 thatcontains updated or regenerated graphical objects that show any changesto the operating parameters displayed in GUI 88 that may be affected bychanging the groundspeed of paver 18.

The supervisor may be able to understand the effects of changing thegroundspeed of paver 18 on the paving operation by the resulting changesin other operational parameters displayed via GUI 88 (or its duplicate).For example, if paver 18 is running too slowly, it may be using materialmore slowly than plant 30 is producing it. Depending on how long paver18 was using less material than plant 30 was producing it, paver 18 mayhave fallen behind on the amount of material it is supposed to depositfor a given period of time, such as for the current day. The supervisormay then be able to compare the total amount of material deposited orthe total distance traveled by paver 18 to a target amount or targetdistance for the current day, as provided by total weight object 100 andtotal distance object 102, to decide whether or not to increase theground speed of paver 18 so the production rate of paver 18 is greaterthan the production rate of plant 30 in order to make up for lost time.GUI 88 may also include a graphical object 106 indicative of a totalamount of material produced by and a total amount of material availablefrom plant 30 for the current day, the current job, or other allotmentcriterial. The operator may then be able to see how these productionparameters respond to a change in paver groundspeed by using graphicalobject 104. Based on this information, the supervisor may be able todetermine whether or not a decision to increase the production rate ofpaver 18 above the production rate of plant 30 will starve paver 18 orwhether it is necessary to contact another plant about receivingadditional material to help meet production goals.

Although graphical object 104 has been described with reference to thegroundspeed of paver 18, it is understood that other or additionaladjustable parameters may instead be alterable by graphical object 104or additional graphical objects, if desired. For example, screedsettings (e.g., width, height, slope), conveyor feed rates, and or otherparameters may be made adjustable via GUI 88 for purposes of simulationor overriding machine control.

After the supervisor adjusts the groundspeed of paver 18 using graphicalobject 104, off-board computer 68 may update (i.e., regenerate) GUI 88or certain ones of graphical objects 90 to reflect the difference on anyoperating parameter that the supervisor's actions may have. In someembodiments, inputs received by graphical object 104 may be used tocause off-board computer 68 to generate command signals communicable topaver 18 (i.e., machine control system 52 a) for automatically adjustingthe actual groundspeed of paver 18. In other embodiments, off-boardcomputer 68 may enter a simulation mode or generate a simulationinterface, as mentioned above, that is configured to reproduce GUI 88using a simulation model or algorithm configured to predict and displayhow the change in groundspeed of paver 18 commanded by the supervisorwill affect the paving operation. In other embodiments, GUI 88 mayinclude other graphical objects to allow the supervisor to similarlyadjust other aspects of paver 18, such as height, width, and slope ofscreed 34 and the feed rate of material from hopper 32 to screed 34.

As off-board computer 68 receives updated operating parameters frommachines 12 and plant 30, as well as after any time the supervisor makesan adjustment to the groundspeed or other parameter of paver 18 during asimulation, off-board computer 68 may reevaluate the status score ofpaver 18. That is, off-board computer 68 may compare the currentoperating parameters (or simulated current operating parameters) ofpaver 18 to the target parameters and determine whether and to whatextent they differ. Off-board computer 68 may then update firstgraphical objects 86 on GUI 84. As shown in FIG. 4, the first graphicalobject 86 associated with the selected machine 12 (e.g., paver 18) maybe shown in GUI 88 (or a duplicate GUI generated during a simulation) toallow the supervisor to see the updated status score without having toreturn to GUI 84 (referring to FIG. 3), thereby allowing for a speedyadjustment process.

GUI 88 may also contain additional or other graphical objects configuredto convey information about paver 18 and/or others of machines 12. Forexample, off-board computer 68 may receive signals indicative of thelocation and groundspeed of each other machine 12, including haul trucks16 (referring to FIG. 1). Based on the location and groundspeed of eachmachine 12, off-board computer 68 may be configured to determinerelevant statistical information and display the information viagraphical objects. For instance, GUI 88 may include a graphical object101 configured to display an amount of time until the next haul truck 16arrives at paver 18 with fresh paving material. That is, locationinformation associated with each haul truck 16 may be received via anassociated location device, which can be used in conjunction with theknown location of paver 18 to determine the amount of time until thenext haul truck 16 arrives at paver 18. Based on the time until the nexthaul truck 16 arrives, the supervisor may be able to quickly understandwhether adjustments to the production rate or groundspeed of any machinemay be appropriate to avoid a delay in production or to avoid a delay inthe use of fresh material (which can allow the fresh material to coolbelow a desired threshold temperature).

GUI 88 may also include a graphical object 103 a indicative of a filllevel of hopper 32 and a graphical object 103 b indicative of an amountof time until hopper 32 will become empty. That is, an amount ofmaterial remaining in hopper 32 may be determined based on the signalgenerated by production monitoring system 74, which may be used inconnection with the production rate of paver 18 to determine an amountof time remaining until hopper 32 becomes empty. Graphical objects 103 aand 103 b may be configured to convey the remaining amount of materialand remaining time, respectively, so the supervisor may be able toquickly and easily understand how much material is in hopper 32 and forhow long paver 18 can continue production without having to pause torefill hopper 32. Information provided by graphical objects 103 a and103 b in conjunction with the information provided by graphical object101 may allow a supervisor to quickly and easily decide whether and towhat extent the groundspeed of paver 18 or of the next haul truck 16should be adjusted (if possible) to minimize downtime and asphaltcooling time.

In the even that production is paused and paver 18 is stopped, GUI 88may include a graphical object 105 that is indicative of an amount oftime that paver 18 has been stopped and continues to sit idly. That is,the groundspeed of paver 18 may be determined based on a signalgenerated by a speed sensor or a positioning sensor, and the groundspeedmay be tracked over a period of paving time to determine when thegroundspeed of paver 18 is zero (i.e., when paver 18 is not moving or isidle). Graphical object 105 may be configured to convey the amount oftime during which the groundspeed of paver 18 is zero (i.e., an idletime). As paver 18 sits idly, the paving material in hopper 32 may beallowed to cool, and may need to be discarded if the idle time exceeds athreshold amount of time. Thus, graphical object 105 may allow thesupervisor to quickly and easily determine how long paver 18 has beenidle and whether certain actions may need to be taken as a result of theelapsed time. Further, the weight of screed 34 can create grooves orother defects in the freshly laid asphalt if paver 18 sits idly for toolong, which may require additional manpower, material, and time torepair. Thus graphical object 105 may help the supervisor to decide howto avoid or when to repair such defects

Because plant 30 may be some distance (and time) away from worksite 10,supervisors may wish to be informed of certain details and parametersrelating to the supply chain of haul trucks 16 bringing material fromplant 30 to worksite 10. To help provide supervisors with informationabout the supply chain, GUI 88 may include a graphical object 107configured to convey one or more supply chain parameters in a clear andsimple way. For instance, GUI 88 may include a graphical object 107 aindicative of a number of haul trucks 16 that are traveling betweenplant 30 and worksite 10 with fresh paving material. This informationmay allow supervisors to quickly understand, among other things, whetherthe supply chain is operating properly, whether pauses in production forlack of material are to be expected, or whether too much fresh materialis in queue and is at risk of excessive cooling. A graphical object 107b may be configured to identify the truck 16 currently at paver 18 toallow the supervisor to understand which truck 16 in the scheduled queueof truck is currently filling hopper 32. A graphical object 107 c may beconfigured to identify the truck currently being loaded with freshmaterial at plant 30 and its estimated arrival time at jobsite 10. Thisinformation may allow the supervisor to understand quickly how far alongin the production process plant 30 is with respect to the scheduledproduction plan and how much time haul trucks 16 are currently taking toreach jobsite 10. Information conveyed by graphical objects 107 a-c maybe determined based on other supply chain parameters, such as thelocations (e.g., as determined by a location device) and groundspeeds(e.g., as determined by a location device or speed sensor) of haultrucks 16.

Although certain graphical objects that may be indicative of certainparameters are shown in FIG. 4 (and other figures) and described herein,it is understood that other graphical objects indicative of other and/oradditional parameters or information may be used to convey aspectsrelating to paving operations and support.

Parameters and other information indicated by the graphical objectscontained in a graphical user interface (e.g., GUI 88) may each beassociated with a respective threshold value or target value. Thedifference between the information displayed by a graphical object andits associated threshold or target value may be used to determine thestatus score of the machine 12 or plant 30 that is the subject of thegraphical user interface. For instance, graphical object 86 in GUI 88may be configured to indicate the status score of paver 18 based on adifference between the information displayed in any of the graphicalobjects in GUI 88 and its respective associated threshold or targetvalue. For example, when the paver stop time as indicated by graphicalobject 105 exceeds an associated threshold, graphical object 86 may showa yellow or red status score, depending on the extent to which the stoptime has exceeded the threshold. When paver 18 resumes operation (and ifno other parameters are currently in excess of an associated threshold),the status score in graphical object 86 may be changed to green toindicate that the state of paving operations is acceptable. Graphicalobjects 86 as shown in FIG. 3 may also be configured to change color incoordination with graphical objects 86 of other graphical userinterfaces. It is understood that although the status score has beenexplained above with respect to the stop time of paver 18 and GUI 88,status scores may be affected by other parameters (e.g., groundspeed,production rate, fuel level, water level, etc.) or differences betweenthem. It is also understood that status scores for other machines (e.g.,compactors 20, trucks 16, and plant 30) may be similarly determined. Inthis way, supervisors may be able to quickly and easily identify whenissues arise that may need their attention.

Referring again to FIG. 3, when the supervisor selects a first graphicalobjet 86 associated with another of machines 12, off-board computer 68may generate another GUI corresponding to the selecting machine 12. Forexample when the supervisor selects a first graphical object 86associated with one of compactors 20, off-board computer 68 may generatea corresponding GUI. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, off-board computermay generate a graphical user interface (GUI) 108 corresponding to aparticular compactor 20 (e.g., a breakdown compactor). GUI 108 maycontain graphical objects 110 indicative of a difference between anoperating parameter associated with compactor 20 and an associatedexpected or target value. That is, graphical objects 110 may beindicative of the difference between an operating parameter and itsassociated target or expected value that was used to determine itsstatus score displayed in GUI 84.

For example, graphical objects 110 may include a surface temperatureobject 112, an impacts object 114, a compactor groundspeed object 116, apaver groundspeed object 118, and a water object 120. Such informationmay be used by a supervisor in determining how to coordinate operationsof compactor 20 in conjunction with the operations of paver 18 and/orother machines 12 on worksite 10.

For instance, off-board computer 68 may receive data messages viacommunication device 80 c indicative of the current temperature of thefreshly laid asphalt on top of work surface 14 (e.g., as determined bysensors 72 b), the groundspeed of compactor 20 (e.g., as determined bysensors 72 b), the groundspeed of paver 18 (e.g., as determined bysensors 72 a), an amount of water for wetting compacting tool 40 (e.g.,as determined by sensors 72 b), and the location of compactor 20 (e.g.,as determined by locating device 70 b). Off-board computer 68 maycompare the temperature of work surface 14 to a known target temperatureor temperature range (e.g., 320° F.-190° F.) and determine whether thecurrent temperature of work surface 14 is within, above, or below thetarget range. For instance, after paver 18 lays down a mat of freshmaterial, compactor 20 (i.e., a breakdown compactor) may be instructedto compact the fresh mat while it is still at a particular temperatureor within a particular temperature range. This may require compactor 20to follow behind paver 18 at a certain distance that is dependent on themat temperature. When the temperature of surface 14 is outside of thedesired range, as indicated by surface temperature object 112, thesupervisor may wish to adjust the distance between compactor 20 andpaver 18 or pause the operation for further assessments.

At times, an operator of compactor 20 may intentionally or inadvertentlyput too much or too little distance between compactor and paver 18during the compacting process and attempt to correct this distance. Indoing so, a ratio of the vibration frequency associated with compactingtool 40 to the groundspeed of compactor may deviate from a desired ratioor range of ratios. That is, off-board computer 68 may receive viacommunication device 80 c signals indicative of the vibration frequencyof compacting tool 40 and the groundspeed of compactor 20 from machinecontrol system 52 b (referring to FIG. 2). The ratio of the vibrationfrequency to the groundspeed of compactor 20 may be indicative of thecompacting energy (i.e., number of impacts per foot) applied to worksurface 14 by compactor 20. When compactor slows down or speeds up, thenumber of impacts per foot increase or decreases, respectively.Depending on which compacting stage compactor 20 is performing (e.g.,breakdown, intermediate, cleanup, etc.), compactor 20 may be assigned acertain target ratio (i.e., target compacting energy) or target numberof impacts per foot maintain during operation.

To help supervisors understand when the ultimate goal of imparting thetarget number of impacts per foot on work surface 14 is or is not beingachieved, off-board computer may generate impacts object 114 to indicatethe direction (e.g., higher or lower) and extent to which the currentnumber of impacts per foot is different than the target number ofimpacts per foot. Impacts object 114 may include qualitative indicia,such as a dial with colored areas, bars, flashing lights, color schemes,etc. In this way, supervisors may be able to quickly determine whetherany issue exists with regard to the number of impacts per foot beingachieved by compactor 20.

Off-board computer 68 may also determine a target groundspeed forcompactor 20, compare the target groundspeed to the current groundspeedof compactor 20, and generate compactor groundspeed object 116 based onthe difference. For example, off-board computer 68 may receive andcompare the paver groundspeed compactor groundspeed determined bysensors 72 a and 72 b, respectively. As the groundspeed of paver 18 maydictate the average groundspeed at which compactor 20 should travel tomaintain a constant distance from paver 18, off-board computer 68 maydetermine the target groundspeed of compactor 20 to be a speed equal toor within an allowable difference of the groundspeed of paver 18.

Off-board computer 68 may then generate compactor groundspeed object 116to be indicative of the difference between the current groundspeed ofcompactor 20 and the target groundspeed. Off-board computer 68 may alsoconcurrently generate paver groundspeed object 118 to allow thesupervisor to confirm whether any differences in impacts per foot or thedetected temperature of work surface 14 may be attributable to adeviation of compactor 20 from its target groundspeed. Compactorgroundspeed object 116 may include features, such as a color scheme,hatching, blinking lights, etc., as an indication of the direction(e.g., higher or lower) and extent to which the current groundspeed isdifferent from the target groundspeed. In this way, the supervisor maybe able to quickly visualize and understand the relative groundspeeds ofcompactor 20 and paver 18, as well as the implications this differencemay have on other operating parameters. This information may allow thesupervisor to determine whether and how to adjust the operations ofcompactor 20. Such an adjustment may include increasing or decreasingthe groundspeed of compactor 20.

For example, GUI 108 may also include a graphical object 122 configuredto receive a user input indicative of a command to adjust (e.g.,increase or decrease) the groundspeed of compactor 20 to an adjustedgroundspeed. For instance, the supervisor may determine based on theinformation in GUI 108 that compactor 20 is moving away from an area ofpaved surface 14 at the target temperature for compacting or that thenumber of impacts per foot being achieved is too low. The supervisor maythen use graphical object 122 to increase or decrease the groundspeed ofcompactor 20 to cause the number of impacts per foot and/or thetemperature of surface 14 in front of compactor 20 to reach therespective target value.

Depending on how long compactor 20 was moving farther or closer to paver18, it can be difficult to achieve the proper distancing throughgroundspeed adjustments without falling below the target amount ofimpacts per foot. To help confirm that compactor 20 is meeting itstarget number of impacts per foot, GUI 108 may also include a map 124 ofat least a portion of worksite 10 where compactor 20 is operating. Usingthe location of compactor 20 over time, as determined by locating device70 b (referring to FIG. 2), off-board computer 68 may be configured togenerate map 124 to be indicative of where compactor 20 has traveled andnumber of impacts per foot achieved at each location (e.g., using acolor scheme, hatching, patterns, etc.). Based on this information, thesupervisor may be able to determine whether or not a decision toincrease or decrease the groundspeed of compactor 20 is improving thecompacting operation.

After the supervisor adjusts the groundspeed of compactor 20 usinggraphical object 122, off-board computer 68 may update (i.e.,regenerate) GUI 108 or certain ones of graphical objects 110 to reflectthe difference on any operating parameter that the supervisor's actionsmay have. In this way, the supervisor may be able to quickly identify aneffective solution after performing one or more iterative adjustments.In some embodiments, inputs received by graphical object 110 may causeoff-board computer 68 to generate command signals communicable compactor20 (i.e., machine control system 52 b) for automatically adjusting theactual groundspeed of compactor 20. In other embodiments, off-boardcomputer 68 may enter a simulation mode or generate a simulationinterface configured to reproduce GUI 108 using a simulation model oralgorithm configured to predict and display how the change ingroundspeed of compactor commanded by the supervisor will affect thecompacting operation.

Although graphical object 122 has been described with reference to thegroundspeed of compactor 20, it is understood that other or additionaladjustable parameters may instead be alterable by graphical object 122or additional graphical objects, if desired. For example, vibrationsettings, water feed rates, following distances, and or other parametersmay be made adjustable via GUI 88 for purposes of simulation oroverriding machine control.

In some embodiments, GUI 108 may include other graphical objects toallow the supervisor to similarly adjust other aspects of compactor 20.For example, water object 120 may be indicative of how much waterremains in a storage tank onboard compactor 20. That is, compactor 20may include a watering system for wetting compacting tool 40 to preventfresh asphalt from sticking to it during compaction, and water objectmay be indicative of an amount of water remaining (e.g., as determinedby sensors 72 b). In this way, the supervisor may be able to determinewhen to refill the water tank based on the water level and/or otheraspects of the operation that may provide an opportunity to refillwithout incurring delay or sacrificing compaction quality.

As off-board computer 68 receives updated operating parameters frommachines 12 and plant 30, as well as after any time the supervisor makesan adjustment to the groundspeed or other parameter of compactor 20,off-board computer 68 may reevaluate the status score of compactor 20.That is, off-board computer 68 may compare the current operatingparameters (or simulated current operating parameters) of compactor 20to the target parameters and determine whether and to what extent theydiffer. Off-board computer 68 may then update first graphical objects 86on GUI 84 to reflect any changes. As shown in FIG. 4, the firstgraphical object 86 associated with the selected machine 12 (e.g.,compactor 20) may be shown in GUI 108 to allow the supervisor to see theupdated status score without having to return to GUI 84 (referring toFIG. 3), thereby allowing for a speedy adjustment process.

GUI 108 may also contain additional or other information configuredallow the supervisor to visualize aspects of the compacting operation ingreat detail. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, map 124 may be configuredto display additional information in coordination with the location ofcompactor 20 over a period of operating time. For instance, in additionto the number if impacts per foot achieved by compactor 20, off-boardcomputer 68 may be configured to show the determined surface temperatureof work surface 14, a pass count (i.e., number of times compactortraveled over a particular location), and/or compaction value (i.e.,compaction quality factor) as a function of the location of compactor20. That is, off-board computer 68 may associate one or more of theratio of the vibration frequency to the groundspeed of compactor 20, thesurface temperature of work surface 14, the pass count, and thecompaction value with each recorded location of compactor 20 over aperiod of compacting time, and configure map 124 to indicate theassociated value(s) in association with each recorded location. Forexample, when the supervisor selects an option to see the temperature ofsurface 14 when it was compacted by compactor 20, off-board computer 68may generate map 124 to show the current location of compactor 20 inconjunction with the sensed temperature of work surface 14 whentraversed by compactor 20. Map 124 may also or alternatively beconfigured to show the current temperature of surface 14 to allow thesupervisor to see if compactor 20 is operating in areas that are above126, at 128, or below 130 the target temperature for compaction. In thisway, supervisors may be able to confirm whether areas of surface 14 havebeen or are being properly compacted, allowing for quick correctivemeasures to be taken when necessary.

Referring again to FIG. 3, when the supervisor selects a first graphicalobjet 86 associated with another of machines 12, off-board computer 68may generate another GUI corresponding to the selected machine 12. Forexample when the supervisor selects a first graphical object 86associated with one of haul trucks 16, off-board computer 68 maygenerate a corresponding GUI. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, off-boardcomputer 68 may generate a graphical user interface (GUI) 132corresponding to a particular one or group of haul trucks associatedwith the surfacing operation. GUI 132 may contain graphical objects 134indicative of a difference between an operating parameter associatedwith compactor 20 and an associated expected or target value. That is,graphical objects 134 may be indicative of the difference between anoperating parameter and its associated target or expected value that wasused to determine the status score displayed in GUI 84.

For example, based on other information, such as the production rate ofpaver 18, the amount of material in hopper 32, and/or the number oftrucks traveling between plant 30 and worksite 10 (as discussed above),off-board computer 68 may determine a target arrival time for each haultruck 16 traveling to worksite 10 with fresh paving material. The targetarrival time may be an amount of time until a particular haul truck isneeded to deliver material to paver 18. Based on a current location ofeach haul truck 16 (as determined by an associated location deviceconfigured to generate a location signal communicable to off-boardcomputer 68), off-board computer 68 may determine an actual estimatedarrival time for each haul truck 16 at worksite 10. Off-board computer68 may also receive other information, such as traffic conditions,weather conditions, road closure information, and/or other factorsavailable through known (e.g., commercial) resources and use thisinformation to more accurately determine the target and actual arrivaltime for each haul truck.

Off-board computer 68 may generate a map 136 of an area containing oneor more of haul trucks 16, paver 18, and/or plant 30, and generate ahaul truck detail object 138 for each haul truck 16 on the map. Haultruck detail object 138 may include information, such as a target timeto paver 18, a distance to paver 18, contents of haul truck 16, and acapacity (e.g. weight) of material in haul truck 16. In someembodiments, haul truck detail object 138 may also include an actual orestimated temperature of the paving material within haul truck 16.Off-board computer 68 may also generate an actual estimated arrival timeobject 140 configured to show the actual estimated arrival time of haultruck 16. When a difference between the actual estimated arrival timeand the target arrival time exceeds a tolerable difference, off-boardcomputer 68 may update the status score of haul truck 16 to indicatewhether and to what extent haul truck 16 will miss the target arrivaltime. Off-board computer 68 may then update first graphical objects 86on GUI 84 to reflect any changes. As shown in FIG. 7, the firstgraphical object 86 associated with the selected machine 12 (e.g., haultruck 16) may be shown in GUI 132 to allow the supervisor to see theupdated status score without having to return to GUI 84 (referring toFIG. 3), thereby allowing for a speedy assessment process.

Referring again to FIG. 3, when the supervisor selects a first graphicalobjet 86 associated with plant 30, off-board computer 68 may generateanother GUI corresponding to plant 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 8,off-board computer 68 may generate a graphical user interface (GUI) 142that contains graphical objects 144 indicative of a difference betweenan operating parameter associated with plant 30 and an associatedexpected or target value. That is, graphical objects 144 may beindicative of the difference between an operating parameter and itsassociated target or expected value that was used to determine thestatus score displayed in GUI 84.

For example, based on the known production rate of plant 30, a knownamount of material needed to complete the surfacing operation (e.g.,based on a predetermined design model), an a known amount of timeavailable for completing the surfacing operation (e.g., entered by thesupervisor), off-board computer 68 may monitor the production rate ofplant 30 and determine whether and to what extent the production rate ofplant 30 is above, at, or below a production rate needed to sustainoperations at worksite 10. When a difference between the production rateof plant 30 and the target production rate falls below a tolerabledifference, off-board computer 68 may update the status score of plant30 to indicate whether and to what extent plant 30 will be unable tomeet the demand of the paving operation. Off-board computer 68 may thenupdate first graphical objects 86 on GUI 84 to reflect any changes. Asshown in FIG. 8, the first graphical object 86 associated with plant 30may be shown in GUI 142 to allow the supervisor to see the updatedstatus score without having to return to GUI 84 (referring to FIG. 3),thereby allowing for a speedy assessment process.

GUI 142 may include a plant production rate object 146 configured toshow the supervisor the production rate of plant 30 and may beindicative of whether and to what extent plant 30 will be able tosatisfy the material demand at worksite 10. Off-board computer 68 mayalso generate a map 148 on GUI 142 showing an area containing one ormore plants 30 within a certain distance of worksite 10. When multipleplants 30 are shown on map 148, off-board computer 68 may generate plantproduction rate object 146 for each plant 30 to allow the supervisor tovisualize whether any other plants in the area can be relied on to makeup for unfulfilled demand. As shown in FIG. 8, map 148 may be combinedwith map 124 (referring to FIG. 7).

In some embodiments, other information relating to plants 30 may also beprovided via GUI 142. For example, other graphical objects may beincluded to display a production temperature associated with each plant,a distance value from each plant to worksite 10, a maximum amount ofpaving material available, and/or other information. If a situation atplant 30 causes the production rate to drop or the productiontemperature of plant 30 falls below a minimum temperature needed tosuccessfully transport material from plant 30 to worksite 10 before itcools (e.g., as determined by off-board computer 68 in conjunction withthe known locations of plant 30 and worksite 10), off-board computer 68may regenerate the associated graphical object and/or update the statusscore of plant 30 and update first graphical object 86 (on GUI 84 and/orGUI 142) to reflect any changes.

It is also noted that any information generated by off-board computer 68and shown to the supervisor on display device 66 c may also oralternatively be similarly communicated and shown to the operator of anyone or more of machines 12 (e.g., via display devices 66 a, 66 b), asdesired, to help operators visualize more effectively controloperational aspects of the surfacing operation.

Several advantages may be associated with the disclosed control system.For example, because control system 50 may help supervisors tocoordinate the operations of each of machines 12 by aggregatinginformation from several data sources into a single control resource,supervisors may be able to quickly and easily address severaloperational issues from any location where a communication signal can bemaintained. Further, because data from a plurality of sources isaggregated into a single control device, supervisors may be able toquickly obtain multiple pieces of relevant information without relyingon other personnel or having to search through a plurality of dataresources. Additionally, because control system 50 may provide for thegeneration of GUIs that include qualitative indicia of operationalaspects, supervisors may be able to quickly and easily identify andunderstand situations needing corrective action as they are occurring,thereby allowing for the possibility of a fast and accurate on-the-spotassessment and resolution. Because supervisors may be able to simulateor actually command changes to the operations of machines 12, effectivesolutions may be able to be reached using iterative adjustments andobservations.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the disclosed control systemwithout departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments ofthe control system will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromconsideration of the specification and practice of the control systemdisclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples beconsidered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure beingindicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A control system for coordinating a plurality ofmachines for performing a paving operation on a worksite, comprising: acommunication device configured to exchange data messages with theplurality of machines and a material production plant, the data messagesincluding operating parameters determined using sensors associated withone of the plurality of machines or the material production plant; adisplay device; an input device configured to receive user inputs; and acontroller in communication with the communication device, the displaydevice, and the input device, wherein the controller is configured to:generate a first graphical user interface on the display device, thefirst graphical user interface having a plurality of first graphicalobjects, each being indicative of one of the plurality of machines orthe material production plant, wherein each of the plurality of firstgraphical objects is selectable via the input device; and determine astatus score of at least one machine of the plurality of machines basedon the data messages, wherein a first graphical object of the graphicalobjects is further indicative of the status score, the status scorerepresenting a deviation of at least one operating parameter of the atleast one machine from a respective associated target value; and adjustthe at least one operating parameter of the at least one machine basedon the status score.
 2. The control system of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to: receive a first user input via the inputdevice indicative of a selection of one of the plurality of firstgraphical objects; and generate a second graphical user interface on thedisplay device based on the selection, wherein the second graphical userinterface includes a plurality of second graphical objects, each beingindicative of an operating parameter associated with the machineindicated by the selected one of the plurality of first objects.
 3. Thecontrol system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of machines includes apaving machine and one or more compacting machines.
 4. The controlsystem of claim 2, wherein the second graphical user interface furtherincludes a third graphical object configured to receive a second userinput via the input device indicative of a command to change or simulatea change in one of the plurality of operating parameters on which thestatus score of the machine indicated by the selected one of theplurality of first objects is based.
 5. The control system of claim 4,wherein the controller is configured to update the status score of themachine indicated by the selected one of the plurality of first objectsbased on the second user input.
 6. The control system of claim 1,wherein: the plurality of machines includes at least one haul truckconfigured to transport paving material from the material productionplant to the worksite; and the plurality of operating parametersincludes one or more of an arrival time at the worksite and atemperature of paving material within the at least one haul truck. 7.The control system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of operatingparameters includes one or more of a temperature of paving material atthe material production plant, a production rate of the materialproduction plant, and a maximum amount of paving material available fromthe material production plant.
 8. A control system for coordinating apaving operation on a worksite, comprising: a speed sensor associatedwith a paving machine and configured to generate a first signalindicative of a groundspeed of the paving machine; a productionmonitoring system associated with the paving machine and configured togenerate a second signal indicative of an amount of material depositedby the paving machine; a communication device configured to send andreceive data communications; a display device; and a controller inelectronic communication with the speed sensor, the productionmonitoring system, the communication device, and the display device, thecontroller being configured to: receive a third signal indicative of aproduction rate of a material production plant via the communicationdevice; determine a target groundspeed of the paving machine based onthe second and third signals; and generate a graphical user interface onthe display device, wherein the graphical user interface includes afirst graphical object indicative of a difference between thegroundspeed and the target groundspeed of the paving machine.
 9. Thecontrol system of claim 8, wherein the first graphical object is furtherindicative of whether the groundspeed of the paving machine is greaterthan or less than the target groundspeed.
 10. The control system ofclaim 8, wherein the controller is configured to: determine a mass flowrate of material deposited by the paving machine based at least in parton the first and second signals; generate a second graphical object onthe graphical user interface indicative of the mass flow rate; andgenerate a third graphical object on the graphical user interfaceindicative of the production rate of the material production plant. 11.The control system of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to:receive a fourth signal indicative of locational information associatedwith a haul truck; determine an amount of time until a haul truckarrives at the paving machine based at least on part on the fourthsignal; and generate a second graphical object on the graphical userinterface indicative of the amount of time until the haul truck arrivesat the paving machine.
 12. The control system of claim 8, wherein thecontroller is configured to: determine an amount of time until a hopperassociated with the paving machine becomes empty based at least on parton the second signal; and generate a second graphical object on thegraphical user interface indicative of the amount of time until thehopper associated with the paving machine becomes empty.
 13. The controlsystem of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to: determinethe groundspeed of the paving machine based on the first signal or alocation signal generated by a locating device associated with thepaving machine; track an amount of idle time during which thegroundspeed of the paving machine is zero; and generate a secondgraphical object on the graphical user interface indicative of the idletime.
 14. The control system of claim 8, wherein the controller isconfigured to: receive at least a fourth signal indicative of a supplychain parameter; and generate a second graphical object on the graphicaluser interface indicative of the supply chain parameter.
 15. A controlsystem for coordinating a paving operation on a worksite, comprising: afirst speed sensor associated with a compacting machine and configuredto generate a first signal indicative of a groundspeed of the compactingmachine; a second speed sensor associated with a paving machine andconfigured to generate a second signal indicative of a groundspeed ofthe paving machine; a communication device configured to send andreceive data communications; a display device; and a controller inelectronic communication with the first and second speed sensors, thecommunication device, and the display device, the controller beingconfigured to: determine a target groundspeed of the compacting machinebased at least in part on the second signal; determine a differencebetween the groundspeed of the compacting machine and the targetgroundspeed; and generate a graphical user interface on the displaydevice, wherein the graphical user interface includes a first graphicalobject indicative of the difference between the groundspeed of thecompacting machine and the target groundspeed.
 16. The control system ofclaim 15, wherein: the controller is configured to receive a thirdsignal indicative of a vibration frequency of a compacting toolassociated with the compacting machine and determine a ratio of thevibration frequency to the groundspeed of the compacting machine andcompare the ratio to a target ratio; and the graphical user interfaceincludes a second graphical object indicative of a difference betweenthe ratio and the target ratio.
 17. The control system of claim 16,wherein: the controller is configured to receive a fourth signalindicative of a surface temperature of work surface; and the graphicaluser interface includes a third graphical object indicative of thesurface temperature of the work surface.
 18. The control system of claim17, wherein: the controller is configured to receive a fifth signalindicative of a location of the compacting machine on the worksite; andthe graphical user interface includes a map indicative of the locationof the compacting machine on the worksite.
 19. The control system ofclaim 18, wherein: the controller is configured to: record the locationof the compacting machine over a period of compacting time; associateone or more of the ratio of the vibration frequency to the groundspeedof the compacting machine and the surface temperature with each recordedlocation of the compacting machine over the period of compacting time;wherein the map on the graphical user interface is indicative of one ormore of: the location of the compacting machine over the period ofcompacting time; the surface temperature associated with each location;and the ratio of the vibration frequency to the groundspeed of thecompacting machine associated with each location.